6 mins read

Overview: Incruse Ellipta is used for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is a controller inhaler that works by keeping the muscles relaxed around your airways to prevent symptoms such as shortness of breath. Common side effects may include cough, sore throat, common cold symptoms, and joint pain. Incruse Ellipta is not a rescue inhaler and does not treat sudden symptoms. Tell your health care provider or seek medical care right away if your symptoms get worse after using the inhaler.

Uses

What is Incruse Ellipta used for?

Incruse Ellipta is commonly used as a controller inhaler for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Incruse Ellipta may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Incruse Ellipta work (mechanism of action)?

People with COPD have chronic and ongoing airflow problems in the lungs. Incruse Ellipta contains a medicine called umeclidinium that relaxes the muscles around the airways. This can help to make it easier to breathe.  

How is Incruse Ellipta supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Incruse Ellipta

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 62.5 mcg inhalation powder (Ellipta inhaler)

How should I store Incruse Ellipta?

Incruse Ellipta should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sunlight. 

Keep the inhaler inside of its unopened foil tray until you are ready to use it. Once the foil tray has been opened, Incruse Ellipta is only good for 6 weeks. If the inhaler is not empty after 6 weeks, it should be thrown out and replaced.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Incruse Ellipta?

The most common side effects of Incruse Ellipta are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Cough
  • Infection in the nose or throat, sore throat, or common cold symptoms
  • Joint pain

There may be other side effects of Incruse Ellipta that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Incruse Ellipta?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Incruse Ellipta are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Incruse Ellipta may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Incruse Ellipta and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Sudden Breathing Problems. Incruse Ellipta may cause the muscles around the airways to tighten (bronchospasm) instead of relaxing, which can be serious. Stop using Incruse Ellipta and contact your health care provider right away if your ability to breathe worsens right after using the medicine.

Glaucoma. Using Incruse Ellipta for a long time may increase pressure inside the eye and cause or worsen narrow-angle glaucoma, which can lead to blindness. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of glaucoma.

  • Loss of vision 
  • Eye pain or redness
  • Severe headache or vomiting
  • Seeing bright, colorful circles around lights (vision halos)

Inability to Empty Bladder (Urinary Retention). Incruse Ellipta might make it harder to empty your bladder, especially if you already have a blockage or trouble peeing. Stop using Incruse Ellipta and call your health care provider right away if you have a hard time peeing or have a weak stream, if peeing is painful, or you are peeing frequently.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Incruse Ellipta?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Incruse Ellipta.

  • Incruse Ellipta
  • Lactose
  • Milk proteins
  • Umeclidinium
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Incruse Ellipta.

What should I know about Incruse Ellipta before using it?

Do not use Incruse Ellipta unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed.

Do not share Incruse Ellipta with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Incruse Ellipta out of the reach of children.

Incruse Ellipta is a medicine used daily to prevent symptoms. Do not use it when a quick response to breathing problems is needed. Other inhaled medicines, sometimes called rescue inhalers, should be used to treat sudden symptoms. Get medical help right away if your breathing does not get better after using a rescue inhaler.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Incruse Ellipta?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Incruse Ellipta is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Bladder problems
  • Eye problems, such as glaucoma 
  • Heart problems, including arrhythmias
  • Prostate problems

Other Medicines and Supplements. Incruse Ellipta may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Incruse Ellipta, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Incruse Ellipta could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. 

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Incruse Ellipta passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

How can I get more information about Incruse Ellipta?

For more information about Incruse Ellipta, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.incruse.com or call them at 888-825-5249.

Interactions

Does Incruse Ellipta interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Incruse Ellipta and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Incruse Ellipta.

Does Incruse Ellipta interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Incruse Ellipta is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using an anticholinergic medicine, which includes atropine, antihistamines, and medicines commonly used for overactive bladder, Parkinson’s disease, or stomach problems. Some anticholinergic medicines are inhaled, such as tiotropium (Spiriva), ipratropium (Atrovent), and aclidinium (Tudorza).

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Incruse Ellipta. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Incruse Ellipta?

If you or someone else has used too much Incruse Ellipta, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Incruse Ellipta?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only use the next dose. Do not use double or extra doses.